Report Indicates Vehicle Was Defective: Details from the MoD 'Ural' Tragic Accident

On April 12, 2024, it was revealed through a criminal investigation initiated by the Military Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee that the 'Ural' vehicle, belonging to a military unit of the Ministry of Defense, was in a defective condition and went out of the designated route, resulting in an accident.

The Investigative Committee reported that prior to the incident, from April 9 to 11, 2024, two individuals, S.G. and H.H., notified the head of the technical department and the head of the automobile service of the military unit about the vehicle's technical issues. However, no action was taken to prevent the vehicle from departing.

At the vehicle collection point, V.P. and S.H. did not conduct an actual inspection of the vehicle, limiting themselves to only formal procedures, which resulted in the failure to identify defects and ultimately allowed the vehicle to proceed. Consequently, due to technical malfunction, the vehicle ended up in a ravine.

The accident resulted in the death of 4 servicemen, while 18 others sustained injuries of varying degrees.

The supervising prosecutor has initiated public criminal proceedings against the mandatory service soldier of the Ministry of Defense, the head of the technical department, the head of the automobile service, and two commanders of the rifle battalion, under part 4 of Article 538 of the Criminal Code (violating vehicle operating or management rules), as well as against the control officer of the technical department under part 4 of Article 538 and part 1 of Article 445 (official forgery).

As of December 16, 2024, the investigation into the criminal case has concluded, and the case has been forwarded to the military prosecutor's office of the Syunik garrison with an accusatory conclusion.